Thai paper shuts itself down as 'punishment' for error

The Thai daily newspaper Kom Chad Luek today announced it had closed itself down for three days as a punishment for publishing an article that could have offended the country's king.

The paper misquoted a reference to King Bhumibol in a speech by Sondhi Limthongkul, a leader of the movement to oust the Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, with the misquote suggesting Mr Sondhi also wanted the king to go.

Senior editor Thepchai Yong confirmed Kom Chad Luek was "punishing itself for the mistake" by shutting down for three days.

A report in the Bangkok Post today said Mr Sondhi insisted he had been using a figure of speech when he asked whether Mr Thaksin expected the King to "resign" to take responsibility for failed royal decrees if the prime minister did not take responsibility for policies by resigning.

He said Kom Chad Luek had cut part of the sentence, making it appear that he was demanding the king's abdication.

The mistake by the paper, which has a 700,000 circulation, came amid heightened political tensions in Bangkok.

Demonstrations for and against Mr Thaksin have been a daily occurrence over the past few weeks, and an election takes place on Sunday.

Anti-Thaksin groups have accused the prime minister of corruption, abuse of power and election fraud.

They have also accused him of selling off a national asset to a foreign nation after relatives sold their shares in the family-controlled Shin Corporation to the Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek Holdings, for £1.1bn. They did not pay any tax on the deal.

Many Thais allege the prime minister manipulated the law and parliament for his own benefit, with legislation allowing foreign groups to own up to 49% of Thai telecoms companies having been passed only four days before the sale.

Other grievances include Mr Thaksin's alleged emasculation of state institutions such as the courts and investigative agencies, abuse of human rights and disregard of the constitution.

Anti-Thaksin protesters have called on the king to intervene by appointing an interim prime minister. Both sides pledge loyalty to the constitutional monarch.